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“I don’t know about the chocolate. I’ve not got a sweet tooth, but I wouldn’t mind sampling those curves.” The dark-haired guy nudged his companion. “She had a cleavage you could suffocate in.”

Avel shifted on his stool and studied his drink.

“What a way to die.” His blond-haired buddy laughed. “I noticed her rack, just as she noticed you staring at her chest and forgetting how to string a sentence together as you drooled over her.”

“She didn’t need to get so flustered. It was a compliment. I would have paid to pull that zipper down and bury myself in those awesome breasts. She has more than a handful to feast on.”

“She had more than a handful all over. Did you see her butt when she bent over? Man, that would be fun to ride. I’d grab hold of those wide hips and go to town.”

Avel’s gaze slid to a box on the bar counter. It was a box of Holly’s chocolates. He inhaled sharply. Were they talking about Holly?

“I wonder if she tastes as sweet as her chocolate.” The dark-haired guy ordered two beers before turning to his friend. “We have to go back later. When this is over, I’ll convince her to come out with us. I intend to play with that cute little blonde before the night’s out.”

Avel’s nostrils flared, and he fought an intense feeling of jealous rage that flitted through him. They spoke about Holly like she was some object to have fun with.

He scowled to himself as he looked into his glass. Hadn’t he done the same thing when they’d met? He’d seen her as a distraction, someone to enjoy and forget. He was no better than these morons. Avel still wanted to break these assholes’ heads for talking about Holly so disrespectfully.

“She won’t want anything to do with you,” the blond guy said. “Besides, I thought you were dating Emily.”

“What happens at the food fair stays at the food fair. Emily won’t mind if I have fun away from home. That chick will be worth it. I bet she screams like a banshee when you fuck her.”

Avel shoved his stool back and stood. His hands curled into fists, but his gaze remained on the box of chocolates. He wouldn’t fight. Holly would be disappointed if she heard about him spilling blood.

Instead, he slapped a heavy hand on the dark-haired guy’s shoulder, making him spill his drink. “Hey, where did you get those chocolates?” His voice sounded remarkably calm, considering he wanted to kill these idiots.

They both turned, and their gazes ran over him.

“From some cute woman at the food fair.” The dark-haired guy wiped his wet hand down his pants.

“Are they any good?”

“The samples were great,” the blond guy said. “The stall was quiet, though. There’s a lot of competition out there.”

“We’re going to cheer her up later,” the dark-haired guy said. “Make sure she hasn’t had a wasted trip.”

Avel repressed a snarl. If either of these losers went anywhere near Holly, he’d rip off their heads and mount them on the front of his ship.

Rather than breaking their heads, Avel had another idea. He nodded to the two guys and strode out of the bar.

He headed into the vast, open plan hall where the food fair was taking place.

There were over two hundred stalls selling things from chili sauce to Draxdan syrup wine. He entered the area where the desserts and sweet treats were sold. He lingered just out of sight of Holly’s stall and waited until she was distracted by a customer before sneaking over. He grabbed two trays of samples and scanned the virtual flyer onto his wrist comm, before heading to the main entrance.

He’d make sure Holly’s chocolates were a success. She was too modest, and there’d be no way she’d push herself on passing customers. Avel didn’t give a damn what people thought about him. He’d get them to buy from Holly. He’d showcase how amazing she was.

“Hey, check these out.” He thrust the chocolates at a group of women and swiped the virtual flyer onto their wrist comms. “Stall thirty-five. You won’t find anything better here.”

The women crowded around, tasting the chocolates and groaning with pleasure before hurrying off.

He could help Holly this way. She’d sell out and be happy.

Avel couldn’t be with Holly, but he would make sure she smiled.

She wasn’t for him, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t help her. That was all he was doing. This was about helping a friend. A friend he just happened to want to kiss until she could barely breathe and whose clothes he wanted to strip off with his teeth.

Avel shook his head. He stopped another group and gave them information on Holly’s chocolates. He had to stop thinking like that. This was about helping Holly, nothing more.

If he told himself that enough, he might just believe it.